Thailand, Malaysia see strong export rebound on tech upcycle

SINGAPORE -- Southeast Asian exports got off to a strong start for the second half of the year, with economies such as Thailand and Malaysia in July logging their fastest growth in around two years, as overseas demand for electronics returns on the back of the ongoing upturn in the semiconductor cycle.

Despite subdued demand from the region's largest trading partner, China, goods exports to the U.S. and other Western economies in particular led the growth, according to the latest government data. Intra-ASEAN exports, which account for over 20% of the total for the regional bloc, have also picked up.